Acting Fullerton Police Chief Hughes made permanent

FULLERTON – The Fullerton Police Department has a full-time chief for the first time in 17 months.

The City Council, by a 5-0 vote Tuesday, appointed Capt. Dan Hughes, acting chief for the past year, as the permanent chief. The vote drew a standing ovation from the 60 or so in the council chambers.

"We have a wonderful Police Department," Hughes said before the vote. "It is a department that has lacked direction without a permanent chief."

About 20 residents spoke to the council in favor of hiring Hughes, a 27-year veteran of the department.

Hughes, who assumes the title immediately, will be paid $199,000 annually, plus $19,600 for benefits. The city will also pay $68,500 for retirement costs.

Under the contract, if the City Council chooses to fire Hughes without cause, Hughes has the option of going back to his post as captain.

Also, Hughes cannot be terminated without cause 90 days before a City Council election or 90 days after the certification of an election.

Hughes took over the department in January 2012 from Capt. Kevin Hamilton, the previous acting chief, who took over for Chief Michael Sellers.

Sellers took a paid medical leave weeks after the July 5, 2011, confrontation between officers and Kelly Thomas, a mentally ill homeless man, who died five days later. Sellers retired six months later.

The confrontation and its aftermath ignited strong public criticism and divided the city. Three officers no longer with the department face charges in the death of Thomas. They have pleaded not guilty.

An independent investigator hired by the city to conduct a probe of Thomas' death and assess the Police Department commended reforms, many of them under Hughes' guidance.

The City Council, by a 3-2 vote in December, directed City Manager Joe Felz to negotiate a contract with Hughes.